Srinagar| April, 17: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (J&KPDF) and former Minister Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen Sunday welcomed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kashmir later this month and have expectations from him for the development of region.
In a statement, Hakeem said it is the first visit after the abrogation of Article 370 and we hope that it will address core issues pertaining to people including unemployment, end political uncertainty, and a special package for the development. Over the electricity crisis, Hakeem said many promises were made to people of J&K that some power projects will be handover back but such claims remain only restricted to statements or wrong promises.
The J&K PDF Chief said in like other states of the country, where 300 units of electricity are being provided free of the cost by respective governments. Why we cannot implement the same initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “People of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered over the past several years due to economic crisis, inflation, and Covid19 pandemic. 300 electricity units should be provided free to the people, as the region is rich in power generation and it will provide a sigh of relief, he said.
Hakeem said, to curb the alienation in the region, there is a need for the central government should take some concrete political, socio-economical steps’ he said. He said they hope that early assembly elections would be announced so that public issues can be resolved on a priority basis for the benefit of the people. “Both politically and economically, there is alienation among the people, it can be ended only once free and fair elections will be conducted. There are a leadership crisis and it needs to be addressed,” the senior leader said. Hakeem stated that political uncertainty must end in the region. People need their own representation that can represent their aspirations and needs. He said the biggest issue J&K is facing is unemployment. There should be a concrete policy to address the unemployment crisis so that youth will not feel alienated anymore. “PM should announce a special package for the youth to provide more employment opportunities, which is need of the hour,” Hakeem said. Hakeem also demanded that there are many people who are behind the bars for several reasons. They should be released on a humanitarian basis before Eid-ul-Fitr so that they can also celebrate the auspicious day with their families and loved ones.
He added said they are hopeful that the present PM Modi-led government at the centre would feel and understand the pain and grief of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi is scheduled to make his address to the rural bodies at Palli panchayat in the border Samba district on April 24. His first since the erstwhile state was stripped of its special status in August 2019 and bifurcated into two Union Territories.
